U.S. patent application number 14/545268 was filed with the patent office on 2015-11-05 for multi-source renewable energy station.
The applicant listed for this patent is Jean-Louis CHAUMEL, Adrian ILINCA. Invention is credited to Jean-Louis CHAUMEL, Adrian ILINCA.
Application Number | 20150318706 14/545268 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 54355926 |
Filed Date | 2015-11-05 |
United States Patent
Application |
20150318706 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
ILINCA; Adrian ; et
al. |
November 5, 2015 |
Multi-source renewable energy station
Abstract
The renewable energy station comprising: a housing containing a
main central controller and an electrical power distribution center
connected to this main central controller. The station comprises
wind turbines solar panels, batteries, and a gas/diesel
engine-generator. Loads are connected to the electrical power
distribution center. The wind turbines and the solar panels are
grouped into a plurality of generating cells wherein each
generating cell comprises at least one wind turbine and at least
one solar panel. The main central controller and the electrical
distribution center jointly have switching and control equipment
therein for selectively connecting and disconnecting each of the
loads to and from the electrical power distribution center.
Reactive-type loads are given priority over resistive-type loads.
The heat from the gas/diesel engine-generator is used to melt snow
and ice from the solar panels. Tandem connection of two stations is
done via an inlet receptacle on each station.
Inventors: |
ILINCA; Adrian; (Rimouski,
CA) ; CHAUMEL; Jean-Louis; (Rimouski, CA) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
ILINCA; Adrian
CHAUMEL; Jean-Louis |
Rimouski
Rimouski |
|
CA
CA |
|
|
Family ID: |
54355926 |
Appl. No.: |
14/545268 |
Filed: |
April 14, 2015 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
61996181 |
May 1, 2014 |
|
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|
Current U.S.
Class: |
700/287 ;
307/26 |
Current CPC
Class: |
Y02E 10/76 20130101;
H02J 2300/10 20200101; Y02E 40/30 20130101; H02J 3/381 20130101;
Y02B 70/3225 20130101; Y04S 20/222 20130101; H02J 2300/20 20200101;
G05B 15/02 20130101; H02J 3/18 20130101; H02J 3/14 20130101; H02J
3/382 20130101; Y02E 10/50 20130101 |
International
Class: |
H02J 4/00 20060101
H02J004/00; G05B 15/02 20060101 G05B015/02 |
Claims
1. A renewable energy station for providing electrical power to a
user in an off-grid environment, comprising: a housing containing a
main central controller and an electrical power distribution center
connected to said main central controller; a plurality of wind
turbines attached to said housing and connected to said main
central controller and to said electrical power distribution center
for generating wind-source electrical power and for making
available said wind-source electrical power to said electrical
power distribution center; a plurality of solar panels attached to
outside surfaces of said housing and connected to said main central
controller and to said electrical power distribution center for
generating solar-source electrical power and for making available
said solar-source electrical power to said electrical power
distribution center; a plurality of loads connected to said
electrical power distribution center; said wind turbines and said
solar panels being grouped into a plurality of generating cells
wherein each of said generating cells comprises at least one of
said wind turbines and at least one of said solar panels; said main
central controller and said electrical distribution center jointly
having switching and control equipment therein for connecting and
disconnecting each of said generating cells to and from the
electrical power distribution center and for connecting and
disconnecting each of said loads to and from said electrical power
distribution center.
2. The renewable energy station as claimed in claim 1, wherein said
housing is made of aluminium and has a cubical shape.
3. The renewable energy station as claimed in claim 1, further
comprising a plurality of batteries in said housing for storing
power generated by said wind turbines and said solar. panels.
4. The renewable energy station as claimed in claim 3 further
comprising a gas/diesel engine-generator in said housing; said
gas/diesel engine-generator being connected to said main central
controller and to said electrical power distribution center for
generating diesel-source electrical power and for making said
diesel-source electrical power available to said electrical power
distribution center during a shortfall of electrical power from
said wind turbines, said solar panels and said batteries.
5. The renewable energy station as claimed in claim 1, wherein said
housing comprises a window on a roof thereof.
6. The renewable energy station as claimed in claim 1, wherein said
housing comprises skids under a floor thereof.
7. The renewable energy station as claimed in claim 6, wherein said
housing comprises lifting hooks on a roof thereof.
8. The renewable energy station as claimed in claim 1, further
comprising telescoping masts supporting said wind turbines to said
housing.
9. The renewable energy station as claimed in claim 4, further
including an inlet receptacle on an outside wall of said housing;
said inlet receptacle being connected to said main central
controller and to said electrical power distribution center for
connection of an outside source of electrical power to said
electrical power distribution center.
10. The renewable energy station as claimed in claim 4, wherein
said main central controller has a first memory therein for storing
an importance value of each of said wind turbines, said solar
panels; each of said generating cells; said plurality of batteries
and said gas/diesel engine-generator; and said switching and
control equipment having allocating equipment therein for
sequentially operating said wind turbines, said solar panels; said
generating cells; and said gas/diesel engine-generator according to
said importance values and to an electrical power demand on said
electrical power distribution center.
11. The renewable energy station as claimed in claim 10, wherein
said main central controller has a second memory therein for
storing a priority value for each of said loads, and said switching
and control equipment has selection equipment therein for supplying
electrical power to said loads according to said priority
values.
12. The renewable energy station as claimed in claim 11, wherein
said switching and control equipment comprises monitoring equipment
for distinguishing between resistive-type loads and reactive-type
loads, and for informing said user of a connection thereto a
resistive-type load.
13. The renewable energy station as claimed in claim 11, wherein
said main central controller has a third memory therein for storing
preventive maintenance schedules for said wind turbines and said
gas/diesel engine-generator, and said switching and control
equipment comprising relays therein for selectively operating said
generation cells and said gas/diesel engine-generator according to
said preventive maintenance schedules.
14. A renewable energy station for providing electrical power to a
user in an off-grid environment, comprising: a housing containing a
main central controller and an electrical power distribution center
connected to said main central controller; a plurality of solar
panels attached to outside surfaces of said housing and connected
to said main central controller and to said electrical power
distribution center for generating solar-source electrical power
and making said solar-source electrical power available to said
electrical power distribution center; a plurality of loads
connected to said electrical power distribution center; and a
gas/diesel engine-generator mounted in said housing and connected
to said main central controller and to said electrical power
distribution center for generating diesel-source electrical power
and for making said diesel-source electrical power available to
said electrical power distribution center during a shortfall of
said solar-source electrical power from said solar panels; said
gas/diesel generator being enclosed inside a plenum, and said
housing further including a duct-work system for moving heat from
said gas/diesel engine-generator to spaces behind said solar panels
to heat said solar panels and to melt snow and ice from said solar
panels.
15. The renewable energy station as claimed in claim 14, wherein
said main central controller includes: a memory of a preventive
maintenance schedule relative to said gas/diesel engine-generator;
performance monitoring equipment connected to said solar panels,
and relays therein for starting said gas/diesel engine-generator
during winter when a performance on said solar panels is low, and
for updating said preventive maintenance schedule.
16. A renewable energy station for providing electrical power to a
user in an off-grid environment, comprising: a housing containing a
main central controller and an electrical power distribution center
connected to said main central controller; a plurality of wind
turbines attached to said housing and connected to said main
central controller and to said electrical power distribution center
for generating wind-source electrical power and for making
available said wind-source electrical power to said electrical
power distribution center; a plurality of solar panels attached to
outside surfaces of said housing and connected to said main central
controller and to said electrical power distribution center for
generating solar-source electrical power and for making available
said solar-source electrical power to said electrical power
distribution center; a plurality of loads connected to said
electrical power distribution center; each of said loads being
assigned a priority value based on a load type and an essentiality
of said load; said wind turbines and said solar panels being
grouped into a plurality of generating cells wherein each of said
generating cells comprises at least one of said wind turbines and
at least one of said solar panels; said main central controller
having a first memory for retaining said priority values of said
loads and said main central controller and said electrical power
distribution center jointly having switching and control equipment
therein for connecting and disconnecting each of said loads to and
from said electrical power distribution center according to said
priority values, said load type and power availability from said
generating cells.
17. The renewable energy station as claimed in claim 16, further
including signage therein for encouraging a connection of
reactive-type loads to said electrical power distribution
center.
18. The renewable energy station as claimed in claim 17, further
including: a gas/diesel engine-generator mounted in said housing
and connected to said main central controller and to said
electrical power distribution center for generating diesel-source
electrical power and for making said diesel-source electrical power
available to said electrical power distribution center and to one
of said loads during a shortfall of said wind-source electrical
power from said wind turbines and said solar-source electrical
power from said solar panels; and an electrical power receptacle
dedicated to resistive-type loads, and said switching and control
equipment comprising a relay therein for selectively energizing
said electrical power receptacle only when said gas-diesel
engine-generator is operating.
19. The renewable energy station as claimed in claim 18, further
including a power factor meter, and said switching and control
equipment comprises a flashing light and signage for warning users
of a resistive-type load being connected thereto, when a power
factor of said load is not fluctuating from unity.
20. The renewable energy station as claimed in claim 18, wherein
said gas/diesel engine-generator being enclosed inside a plenum,
and said housing further including a duct-work system for moving
heat from said gas/diesel engine-generator to spaces behind said
solar panels to heat said solar panels and to melt snow and ice
from said solar panels.
Description
[0001] The present patent application claims the benefit of U.S.
Provisional Application No. 61/996,181, filed May 1, 2014.
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0002] This invention pertains to renewable energy generators. More
particularly, it pertains to systems for improving the efficiency
of a renewable energy station.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0003] Renewable energy is a natural option for providing
electrical power to users in an off-grid environment. Working with
renewable energy sources, however, is not free of risks and
challenges. For example solar panels can become frosted or
ice-covered in cold climate regions. Wind turbines are moving
machines and need to be inspected and maintained. But most of all,
renewable energy sources are intermittent and cannot be relied upon
when the customer needs a stable and reliable electrical power
supply.
[0004] The management of renewable energy sources requires
relatively complex electronic equipment. The main challenge
consists of reducing the risks of a power outage. This has been
done in the past by using battery storage and by increasing the
number of power generating sources. Ultimately a conventional
diesel engine-generator is started to make up for any shortfall. In
many cases, the "diesel-source generation" remains a significant
portion of the total electrical power production, and the renewable
energy systems serve no more than reducing the diesel fuel
consumption.
[0005] Examples of renewable energy systems and associated
controls, methods and equipment in the prior art can be found in
the following documents: [0006] U.S. Pat. No. 7,925,597 issued to
T. Takano et al., on Apr. 12, 2011; [0007] U.S. Pat. No. 8,536,720
issued to D. L. Bates et al., on Sep. 17, 2013; [0008] U.S.
Publication 2006/0119106, by R. B. Borden et al., on Jun. 8, 2006;
[0009] U.S. Publication 2006/0137348, by P. A. J. Pas, on Jun. 29,
2006; [0010] U.S. Publication 2011/0049992, by Sant'Anselmo et al.,
on Mar. 3, 2011; [0011] U.S. Publication 2011/0146751, by D.
McGuire on Jun. 23, 2011; [0012] CA Publication 2,793,408, by B. S.
Hardin, on Sep. 22, 2011.
[0013] Although the inventions found in the prior art deserve
undeniable merits, there continues to be a need for a control
system and equipment to improve the efficiency of a renewable
energy station. For example, there is a need to address the deicing
of solar panels in colder regions. There is also a need to better
prioritize the loads when energy generation is limited.
[0014] SUMMARY OF THE PRESENT INVENTION
[0015] In the present invention, there is provided a control system
to use the heat generated by a gas/diesel engine-generator during a
maintenance run for example, to remove ice formations on solar
panels to increase the efficiency of the solar panels. Similarly,
the renewable energy station according to the present invention has
controls therein to prioritize on inductive, capacitive and
essential loads during a shortage of available renewable power.
[0016] In a first aspect of the present invention, there is
provided a renewable energy station for providing electrical power
to a user in an off-grid environment, comprising: a housing
containing a main central controller and an electrical power
distribution center connected to this main central controller. The
station has a plurality of wind turbines attached to the housing
and connected to the main central controller and to the electrical
power distribution center for generating wind-source electrical
power and for making available this wind-source electrical power to
the electrical power distribution center. There is also provided a
plurality of solar panels attached to outside surfaces of the
housing and connected to the main central controller and to the
electrical power distribution center for generating solar-source
electrical power and for making available this solar-source
electrical power to the electrical power distribution center. A
plurality of loads are connected to the electrical power
distribution center. The wind turbines and the solar panels are
grouped into a plurality of generating cells wherein each
generating cell comprises at least one wind turbine and at least
one solar panel. The main central controller and the electrical
distribution center jointly have switching and control equipment
therein for selectively connecting and disconnecting each of the
generating cells to and from the electrical power distribution
center and for connecting and disconnecting each of the loads to
and from the electrical power distribution center.
[0017] Electrical power is extracted from the solar panel and from
the wind turbine in each generating cell separately or together
according to the respective real-time production potentials of
these sources. Electrical power is extracted from each generating
cell and is used primarily for charging the batteries of the
station. However, power extracted from the generating cells can
also be made available to the loads via the electrical power
distribution center, when the batteries are fully charged up for
example, and when the power available from the generating cell is
compatible with the demand of the load.
[0018] Both the sources and the loads are segmented and managed
independently in order to reduce the risk of a low voltage or total
loss of power. As soon as a low performance is detected on a
generating cell, non-essential loads are disconnected and another
generating cell is put on line to avoid an outage that can be
detrimental to the vocation of the station.
[0019] In another aspect of the present invention, there is
provided a renewable energy station for providing electrical power
to a user in an off-grid environment, comprising a housing
containing a main central controller and an electrical power
distribution center connected to the main central controller. A
plurality of solar panels are attached to outside surfaces of the
housing and connected to the main central controller and to the
electrical power distribution center for generating solar-source
electrical power and making that solar-source electrical power
available to the electrical power distribution center. A plurality
of loads are connected to the electrical power distribution center.
There is also provided a gas/diesel engine-generator mounted in the
housing and connected to the main central controller and to the
electrical power distribution center for generating diesel-source
electrical power and for making that diesel-source electrical power
available to the electrical power distribution center during a
shortfall of solar-source electrical power from the solar panels.
The gas/diesel generator is enclosed inside a plenum, and a
duct-work system is provided inside the housing for moving heat
during winter from the gas/diesel engine-generator to spaces behind
the solar panels to heat the solar panels and to melt snow and ice
from the solar panels.
[0020] In yet another aspect of the present invention, there is
provided a renewable energy station for providing electrical power
to a user in an off-grid environment, comprising: a housing
containing a main central controller and an electrical power
distribution center connected to this main central controller. The
station has a plurality of wind turbines attached to the housing
and connected to the main central controller and to the electrical
power distribution center for generating wind-source electrical
power and for making available this wind-source electrical power to
the electrical power distribution center. There is also provided a
plurality of solar panels attached to outside surfaces of the
housing and connected to the main central controller and to the
electrical power distribution center for generating solar-source
electrical power and for making available this solar-source
electrical power to the electrical power distribution center. A
plurality of loads are connected to the electrical power
distribution center. The wind turbines and the solar panels are
grouped into a plurality of generating cells wherein each
generating cell comprises at least one wind turbine and at least
one solar panel. Each load in the plurality of loads is assigned a
priority value based on a type and on an essentiality of that load.
The main central controller has a first memory therein for
retaining the priority values of the loads and instrumentation for
detecting reactive and resistive load types. The main central
controller and the electrical power distribution center jointly
have switching and control equipment therein for selectively
connecting and disconnecting each of the loads to and from said
electrical power distribution center, according to their priority
values, load types, and power availability from the generating
cells. Higher priority values are assigned to essential loads and
to reactive-type loads.
[0021] This brief summary has been provided so that the nature of
the invention may be understood quickly. A more complete
understanding of the invention can be obtained by reference to the
following detailed description of the preferred embodiment thereof
in connection with the attached drawings.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0022] A preferred embodiment of the multi-source renewable energy
station according to the present invention is described with the
aid of the accompanying drawings, in which like numerals denote
like parts throughout the several views:
[0023] FIG. 1 is a schematic representation of the elements
included in the preferred multi-source renewable energy station and
their relation with each other in the operation of the preferred
energy station;
[0024] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the preferred multi-source
renewable energy station;
[0025] FIG. 3 is a partial view of the control equipment included
in the preferred multi-source renewable energy station;
[0026] FIG. 4 is an elevation view of a power output bar included
in the preferred multi-source renewable energy station;
[0027] FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional plan view of the preferred
multi-source renewable energy station as seen along line 5-5 in
FIG. 2;
[0028] FIG. 6 is a perspective view of a portion of the duct-work
system included in the preferred multi-source renewable energy
station.
[0029] The drawings presented herein are presented for convenience
to explain the functions of all the elements includes in the
preferred embodiment of the present invention. Elements and details
that are obvious to the person skilled in the art may not have been
illustrated. Conceptual sketches have been used to illustrate
elements that would be readily understood in the light of the
present disclosure. These drawings are not fabrication drawings,
and should not be scaled.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
[0030] Referring firstly to FIGS. 1 and 2, there are disclosed
therein the systems and devices related to the operation of the
preferred multi-source renewable energy station, hereinafter also
referred to as the preferred energy station 20. The preferred
energy station 20 combines solar, wind and other renewable energy
sources for generating electrical power and making available this
electrical power to a user in an off-grid environment.
[0031] The preferred energy station 20 comprises a cubical
enclosure 20' for housing all electrical components and controls,
and for providing a compact self-standing structure for supporting
three wind turbines 22 and several solar panels 24. This preferred
energy station 20 also includes electronic instrumentation,
switching and controls equipment, a bank of batteries 26,
converters 28, and a gas/diesel engine-generator 30, in order to
generate stable electric power for reliable use in an off-grid
environment. It will be appreciated that the expression off-grid
environment means a region far from any conventional electrical
power distribution network.
[0032] The control system comprises a main central controller 40
including a computer, and several electronics instruments which are
dedicated to manage variable energy sources and electrical loads,
in order to ensure autonomy and safety of the station.
[0033] The preferred energy station 20 also includes environment
instrumentation (not shown) such as a wind speed meter, temperature
meter, a light meter, a clock and an electronic calendar to be used
in the decision making of its main central controller 40. Equally
provided in the preferred energy station 20 are monitoring
instruments (not shown) to record the performance of all its power
generating elements. Furthermore, the main central controller 40
includes memories, a data processor and programmable logic
controller (not shown) to determine in real time an expected power
generation capacity of each of the power generating elements of the
station 20 and to perform custodian actions such as managing the
loads according to power generation.
[0034] The solar panels 24 are given a higher level of importance
in the generation of electricity to supply the demand on the
preferred energy station 20. The wind turbines 22 are considered
next in importance and optional external renewable energy sources
are considered third in importance. The batteries 26 are considered
fourth in importance for supplying power to a load, because
battery-source power is preferrably used when no power is available
from the solar panels 24, from the wind turbines 22, or from an
outside sources. The gas/diesel engine-generator 30 is considered a
last resource. The gas/diesel engine-generator 30 generates
diesel-source electrical power and makes this diesel-source
electrical power available for distribution during a shortfall of
electrical power from the wind turbines 22, the solar panels 24 and
the batteries 26. Diesel-source electrical power is also used to
charge up the batteries 26.
[0035] Solar and wind energy sources are integrated to each other
using the wind-solar controller 42. These wind-solar controller 42
are converting AC, three-phase output power from the wind turbines
22 and DC current from solar panels 24 to appropriate DC voltage
for charging the batteries 26.
[0036] The power generated by all sources of the preferred energy
station 20 can be used for charging the batteries 26 or can be made
available to a load through the electrical power distribution
center 40' connected to the main central controller 40. The
electrical power distribution center 40' preferably includes one or
more AC/DC converter and/or DC/AC inverter to connect one of the
generating cell directly to a load, when electrical power generated
by that cell is suitable for that load and relatively steady. For
example, low priority loads such as a light fixture, a ventilation
fan, a water heater, a receptacle for powering entertainment
equipment are preferably powered directly from a solar panel 24
without passing through the bank of batteries 26.
[0037] Wind/solar controllers 42 have instruments therein for
controlling the operation and speed of the wind turbines 22 when
the solar panels 24 cannot supply the demand. It will be
appreciated that it is crucial to reduce wind turbine rotation or
to stop the wind turbines 22 during storms. Without such a precise
control, any wind turbine 22 can rapidly destroy itself in strong
and gusty winds. Each wind/solar controller 42 is able to stop its
associated wind turbine 22 or to reduce its speed/production,
according to various programmed rules and protocols. In the same
way, any other turbine or non-solar electrical source which could
be linked to the main central controller 40, like a mini hydro
turbine 44 or a fuel cell 46, can also be stopped and started when
critical parameters are reached or when the operation of that
machine is not required.
[0038] The main central controller 40 manages all the components
included in and on the preferred energy station 20. This main
central controller 40 also manages these systems when the preferred
energy station 20 is connected in parallel to other renewable
energy stations. Such a combination of energy stations connected in
parallel requires that the main central controller 40 in each
station is not disturbed by the others and that all power
generators remain balanced, synchronized and properly regulated
with each other and with their connected loads.
[0039] The main load of the preferred energy station 20 is divided
in several independent load units or electrical appliances, thereby
increasing the safety and reliability of the preferred energy
station 20. This load segmentation is particularly advantageous
when the preferred energy station 20 is located in a remote
location with no supervision.
[0040] Each one of these load units is prioritized and individually
controlled by the main central controller 40. Priority is assigned
according to their importance and their essentiality. For examples,
higher priority and essentiality are assigned to communication
equipment and to the starter circuit of the gas/diesel
engine-generator 30. A lower priority and essentiality are assigned
to space heaters, light fixtures and similar non-essential loads.
It will be appreciated that loads of a same priority are grouped
together to a same circuit out of the electrical power distribution
center 40'.
[0041] The main central controller 40 and its associated electrical
power distribution center 40' have switching and control equipment
therein to disconnect any load at any time, according to priority
of the loads and power generation. Balancing power production and
electrical consumption with regard to energy reserve ensures that
the preferred energy station 20 will not be shut down despite
significant variations of wind or sun intensity.
[0042] Referring now to FIG. 2, the preferred energy station 20 is
made of a cubical aluminum housing 50. This aluminum housing 50
serves multi-purposes because it is used as a packaging container
for shipping and transporting all the equipment included in the
preferred energy station 20. The cubical shape of the housing 50 is
advantageous for transporting the preferred energy stations 20 by
ship, by transport trailers or by other transportation means
requiring optimization of available space.
[0043] The aluminum housing 50 also provides a self-standing
structure to support the three wind turbines 22 and the solar
panels 24. Weight and size of the housing 50 are designed to make
easy its transportation by any type of vehicle. Four eye hooks 52
are also provided on the roof of the housing 50 making the housing
50 transportable by helicopter to locations with difficult access.
Runners or skids 54 are also provided under the floor of the
housing 50 for easily pulling the housing 50 as a sleigh or on
ramps to or off an utility trailer.
[0044] The three wind turbines 22 are directly mounted to the
housing 50 and the solar panels 24 are fixed to the external walls
of the housing 50, and to the roof. A radio antenna 56 is also
provided to send and receive communications messages to and from
the preferred energy station 20.
[0045] The deployment of the preferred energy station 20 is fast
due to the fact that most of the components which need to be
attached to the housing 50 are "plug-an-play" type and do not need
special tooling or lifting equipment during their installation.
Telescoping masts of wind turbines are simply clipped to individual
support brackets 58 and extended to desired heights. An electrical
weatherproof inlet receptacle 60 is provided outside the housing 50
to connect the preferred energy station 20 in parallel with another
preferred energy station 20. The inlet receptacle 60 is also used
to connect an outside source of power such as a hydro-generator 44
or a fuel cell 46 to the preferred energy station 20. One or more
electrical outlet bars 62 are mounted outside the housing 50 to
allow fast connection of the preferred energy station 20 to a
serviced building 70 as illustrated in FIG. 1, or to any other
electrical equipment. It will be appreciated that the outlet power
bar 62 is part of the distribution center 72 as illustrated in FIG.
1.
[0046] In order to improve efficiency of all the electric energy
produced by the preferred energy station 20, the wind turbines 22
and solar panels 24 are grouped in three generating cells 48 as
illustrated in FIG. 1. Each generating cell 48 is composed of one
wind turbine 22 and several solar panels 24.
[0047] The three wind-solar generating cells 48, the bank of
batteries 26 and the gas/diesel engine-generator 30, are being
continuously monitored by the main central controller 40. The main
central controller 40 modulates the production from these energy
groups according to two factors: the battery charge and the power
required or anticipated by the loads.
[0048] In case of excess power, the main central controller 40 can
stop or reduce power generation from any of the aforesaid
generating cells 48, and any other power source. Anticipated or
planned consumption cycles or loads can be programmed in the main
central controller 40 and power source modulation is applied. The
main central controller 40 also manages the energy sources
according to various running tests and preventive maintance tasks
to be performed regularly. For example, the main central controller
40 starts and stops the gas/diesel engine-generator 30 at periodic
intervals to ensure that this gas/diesel engine-generator 30 is in
good working order and will readily start when needed, should an
emergency occur.
[0049] The main central controller 40 is connected to the load
distribution center 40'. The available energy distribution of the
preferred energy station 20 consists in several electrical load
systems 72 grouped in sections. This electrical distribution
configuration allows the main central controller 40 to manage via
the electrical power distribution center 40', not only the
electrical production but also the consumption. Because one
inherent characteristic of renewable energy is its variability, the
main central controller 40 connects or disconnects loads 72 via the
electrical power distribution center 40', based on priority level
of the loads 72 and energy production in order to reach an optimum
balance between power generation capacity and loads.
[0050] More specifically, the main central controller 40 has a
first memory for storing an importance value for each of the wind
turbines 22, each of the solar panels 24; each of the generation
cells 48; the batteries 26 and for the gas/diesel engine-generator
30. The aforesaid switching and control equipment has allocation
equipment therein for sequentially operating the solar panels 24;
the wind turbines 22; the distribution cells 48; to draw power from
the batteries 26; and to start the gas/diesel engine-generator 30
according to the load demand and their respective importance
values.
[0051] The main central controller also has a second memory for
storing a priority value for each of the loads. The aforesaid
switching and control equipment also has selection equipment
therein for supplying electrical power to the appropriate loads
according to their priority values.
[0052] The main central controller 40 balances available power with
the load in real time. Because multiple energy sources can be
supplying multiple loads, the management of the entire electrical
generation-load system is fast and accurate. Furthermore such a
system is not only an efficient way to manage renewable energy, but
also offers the capacity to manage failures or problems on the
generation side of the system. For example, a damaged wind turbine
22 in one generating cell 48 is quickly detected and the high
priority loads connected to that generating cell 48 are reallocated
to another generating cell 48.
[0053] In order to use of the gas/diesel engine-generator 30 during
emergencies only, the main central controller 40 takes preventive
actions to delay any decision to start the gas/diesel
engine-generator 30. Some loads 72 which are not considered
essential, are disconnected by the main central controller 40 for a
limited period of time, and reconnected as soon as the proper level
of power is recovered. The main central controller 40 also
intentionally delays the electrical supply to some loads that could
operate periodically and wait favorable conditions (good winds for
example) to reconnect and supply power to these specific loads.
[0054] In another aspect of the present invention, the present
multi-source renewable energy station 20 contains structural
incentives to connect reactive-type loads thereto as opposed to
resistive loads. The renewable energy station 20 has monitoring
equipment for distinguishing resistive-type loads and reactive-type
loads, and for informing a user of the station when a connection to
a resistive-type load is detected.
[0055] It is believed that modem solar panels 24 and wind turbines
22 are high efficiency devices that can be considered as smart
sources of power. It is believed that the electric power obtained
from these devices should be used wisely to produce elegant
work.
[0056] It is believed that the use of a solar panel 24 to energize
an electric space heater for example is a senseless way to use the
energy generated. Heat can be obtained more efficiently directly
from the sun using lens and reflectors for examples. The same
philosophy applies to light fixtures. It makes more sense to
install a window in a building and encourage daytime activities as
opposed to energizing a light fixture with energy coming from a
solar panel 24 or a wind turbine 22.
[0057] For these reasons, basically, it is believed that pure
resistive loads are primitive loads, and their connection to a
renewable energy source is a senseless way to consume that elegant
energy.
[0058] Instrumentation, computers, motors, communication devices,
rectifiers and controllers on the other hand, are relatively more
intellectually-advanced and smarter elements. These devices contain
capacitors, transistors and inductors that have the ability to
modify and amplify electrical signals, and motors that can change
an electrical current into mechanical work.
[0059] Therefore, it makes more sense to use solar power to operate
a radio receiver/transmitter in a remote location, or to rotate an
antenna to pick up a signal from a satellite, for example.
[0060] Instrumentation, computers, motors, communication devices,
rectifiers and controllers represent capacitive and inductive loads
generally, generating a certain amount of reactive power. Although
additional capacitors and inductors may be needed to correct the
power factor of a generating station, these loads make more sense
in a renewable energy station.
[0061] A certain number of structural incentives are included in
the preferred energy station 20 to encourage the use of the station
for operating reactive-type, smarter loads.
[0062] Referring now to FIGS. 2-5, some of the structural
incentives to encourage the use of the preferred energy station 20
to operate reactive-type loads will be described.
[0063] Firstly, the preferred energy station 20 has a window 80 on
its roof to let natural light shine inside the station and to
obviate the need for resistive-type light fixture inside the
station.
[0064] Referring to FIG. 4, the bank 62 of outlet receptacles
includes one or more receptacles 82 identified as "Watt & Var"
loads; and one receptacle 84 identified as "Resistive Only" load.
In order to further encourage smart loads on the preferred energy
station 20, the "Resistive Only" receptacle 84 is powered only when
the diesel engine-generator 30 is operating.
[0065] Preferably, the instrumentation inside the preferred energy
station 20 includes a watt meter 90, a var meter 92, and a power
factor meter 94. When a load being connected to the station has a
power factor that is not fluctuating from unity, a signal in the
form of a warning light (not shown) or a visual LED display, is
turned on to inform the user that such a resistive load on the
preferred energy station 20 is not recommended.
[0066] Other signage and structural incentives are preferably used
inside and outside the preferred energy station 20 to educate users
and to promote the use of smart loads to maximize the production of
elegant work with the energy generated by the preferred energy
station 20.
[0067] In another aspect of the preferred energy station 20, ice
formation on the solar panels 24 are removed by heat of the
gas/diesel engine-generator 30 to obviate the need to spend
valuable power from the batteries 26 in a resistive-type load.
[0068] The main central controller 40 has a third memory therein
for storing preventive maintenance schedules for the wind turbines
22 and for the gas/diesel engine-generator 30. The switching and
control equipment of the station comprises relays for selectively
operating the generation cells 48 and the gas/diesel
engine-generator 30 according to the preventive maintenance
schedules so that all mechanisms in these devices remain lubricated
and in good running order.
[0069] The gas/diesel engine-generator 30 is preferably enclosed in
a plenum 100 to receive warm air from its radiator 102 and engine
block, and to convey this warm air, by the fan of the engine,
through a duct-work system 104 and into outlet openings 106 located
in spaces behind each solar panel 24.
[0070] The gas/diesel engine-generator 30 is operated at prescribed
time intervals, as a preventive measure to ensure reliability and
to circulate lubricant therein. The running time of these
preventive maintenance routines is sufficiently long to warm up the
engine. The heat generated during these periods is carried into
spaces 108 behind the solar panels 24, to heat the solar panels 24
and to dislodge any ice formation on the solar panels 24. When a
low performance is detected in the solar panels 24, the gas/diesel
engine-generator 30 is started and operated for a period of time
sufficiently long to remove any ice formation on the solar panels
24 and to recover an expected performance from the solar panels 24.
Due to this plenum 100 over the gas/diesel engine-generator 30,
there is no need for any resistance heater to remove ice from the
solar panels 24.
[0071] Normally, the warm air from the gas/diesel engine-generator
30 is exhausted from the plenum 100 through an openable louver
window 110, and a fan 114 (not shown) that is mounted behind the
louver window 110. During winter, the louver window 110 is closed
and the warm air is directed into the duct-work system 104, and
blown by the fan 114 into the spaces 108 behind the solar panels 24
and out through vents 112 at the top of these spaces 108.
[0072] It will be appreciated, that when a preventive maintenance
test run is not yet scheduled on the gas/diesel engine-generator
30, and the solar panels 24 are operating at a low performance, the
solar panel request takes precedence over the preventive
maintenance schedule of the gas/diesel engine-generator 30. The
gas/diesel engine-generator 30 is started to heat the solar panels
24 and to dislodge the ice formation on the panels 24. The
preventive maintenance schedule for the gas/diesel engine-generator
30 is then readjusted accordingly.
[0073] While one embodiment of the present invention has been
illustrated in the accompanying drawings and described herein
above, it will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that
various modifications, alternmate constructions and equivalents may
be employed. Therefore, the above description and illustrations
should not be construed as limiting the scope of the invention,
which is defined in the appended claims.
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